Someone tries to run me over on my mower, they're getting shot at too.
He was a product of his environment, but we must make our own choices. It is sad that another young person is dead because of his poor choices. He probably had no father, poor friends, no support system, poor education, and those things may have definitely played a part in the outcome of his life..,but in the end, he got into that car, he decided to bail, he ignored the officer's instructions, he pulled and racked the gun, and he pointed it at the cop. His story was indeed sad, but he wrote it himself.
I would prefer to focus on the officer in this situation. With all the crooked and undertrained officers out there, and with all of the tragic situations involving officer deaths, it makes me proud to know that this officer prepared himself enough to be able to handle this situation. Obviously he had trained intensely at the range and in his mind for this situation should it have occurred. Good job! His preparation probably prevented him from going home in the body bag and Mr. Starks enjoying 3 hots and a cot for the rest of his life.
Really?
The bottom line is that you shoot to kill. Firing your weapon is the absolute last resort. If you walk into your house only to find someone raping your wife, are you gonna pull your gun and shoot at the chandelier, hoping it falls on the rapists ankle, incapacitating him with pain? No, when the situation is dire enough (like a man aiming a handgun at you) you must shoot to kill.
One shot to the chest? Nice shot.
That's seven shots, genius. If the cop only shot six times, maybe you were there to finish him off with #7.
I thought this horse had been beat to death a long time ago. My .02 is this...We have already determined that 21 year olds, with the proper training, can be responsible enough to be allowed to carry a weapon 24/7 in any location (ie. 21 being the minimum age for police officers in Mo.). That being so, lower the age to 21, raise the fees, and make the training IDENTICAL to police firearm qualification standards for accuracy and legal aspects of when to use deadly force. Those who are serious about protecting themselves won't mind the extra hours of training or the extra fees.
Oh yeah, and while we're at it, let students and faculty at our universities carry firearms. When will we learn?
You can make all the excuses you want, but it's time to grow up and place the responsibility where it belongs.
I actually agree. I am just as opposed to rogue cops as you are. They give us a bad name. Arrest and prosecute them all. But don't assume that all police action is criminal. Emotional family members are upset, and that's normal. They're just looking for someone to blame, anyone but their innocent family member.
Must be sad living your life in fear of anyone in authority. You know, paranoia is a side effect of long term methamphetamine use...maybe you have more in common with this story than we realize.
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